A Level Chemistry 2025-26

A Level Chemistry opens the door to a range of careers in areas like pharmacy, medicine, nursing, radiography, forensics, and even law and accountancy The course will give you the scientific discipline needed to study higher education science at university or get an entry level position in the industry.

This course is ideal if you are interested and intrigued by Chemistry and are keen to develop an understanding of the world of atoms, molecules and chemical reactions.

This course covers a range of topics including: Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Practical Chemistry and is 2 years full-time, when taken alongside two or three other A Levels.

Chemistry is fundamentally an experimental subject. The specifications provide numerous opportunities to use practical experiences to link theory to reality, and equip you with the essential practical skills you need.

You will take A Level exams at the end of year 13.

Whilst studying the A Level Chemistry course you will cover a range of different topics including:

Physical chemistry – atomic structure, electron configuration, moles and Avogadro’s, equations and formulae, the nature and types of chemical bonding, enthalpy change, calorimetry, kinetics, equilibrium and at A Level only thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium expressions, acids and bases, acid dissociation constants, pH curves, buffers and indicators, electrode potential and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic Chemistry – Periodic trends and properties of period 3 elements, group 2 trends, group 7 trends and at A Level only oxides of period 3, transition metals, ligand substitution, complexes and catalysts.

Organic Chemistry – nomenclature, reaction mechanisms, isomerism, alkanes, haloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols and at A Level only optical isomerism, carboxylic acids, aromatic chemistry, amines and polymers.

Analytical Chemistry – mass spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and at A Level only proton NMR, Chromatography and organic synthesis

On this course you will be taught through a variety of different methods, theory lessons, independent research and practical experiments. You will also be expected to support self-study using the internet, text books and information sheets.

Overall, at least 30% of the marks in assessments during the course will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE Mathematics. It is highly recommend that you study alongside A Level Maths or Level 3 Mathematics in context due to the level of mathematical skills used in the course.

A-level Chemistry opens the door to a range of careers in areas like pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, nursing, radiography, veterinary, forensics, and even law and accountancy The course will give you the scientific discipline needed to study higher education science at university or get an entry level position in the industry.

After the completion of this course most students study Higher Education at University – this could include: medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, radiography, physiotherapy, paramedics, pharmacy, chemistry, chemical engineering. Some students do follow a career for example joining the RAF, Police force, chemical industry and a range of apprenticeships.

For A Level Chemistry you will need a grade 6 or above in GCSE Chemistry (triple award) or 6, 6 from Combined Science. You will also need a minimum of a grade 5 in GCSE Maths.

For a three A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of five 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics.

For a four A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of six 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics; it is expected that the majority of passes will be at 7-9 grade.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

You will be continually assessed during both years of the course and sit Mock A Level examinations at the end of year 12. There will be three externally assessed exams at the end of year 13, and an internal assessment of practical skills in both year 12 and year 13. Internal assessment of practical skills is based on completing AQA set tasks.

September 2025

Two years, full time.